Fixed motor spring shade

ABSTRACT

A security shade for use in an automotive vehicle. The security shade includes a cassette having a roll tube arranged therein. The roll tube has a shade panel fixed to the roll tube at one end thereof. The security shade also includes a bearing arranged in an end of the roll tube and a spring housing arranged in an end of the cassette. A motor spring is arranged within the spring housing and is axially fixed with relation to the roll tube and the cassette. The security shade also includes an end cap arranged over an end of a cassette. The security shade has the compressible end cap over each end of the roll tube and cassette.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to security shades and moreparticularly relates to security shades for use in an automotivevehicle.

2. Description of Related Art

Security shades have been known for many years in the art. There aremany styles of motor vehicles that do not provide covered areas forstoring cargo or other personal items. In these vehicles any articles inthe cargo area can be easily viewed from the exterior of the vehicle. Tohide these articles from view, motor vehicle manufactures provide aflexible security shade or panel that can be extended to cover the cargoarea and prevent anyone outside the vehicle from readily viewing anystored articles.

Many prior art security shades generally include a flexible fabricpanel, which is wrapped on to a roller tube and mounted to a supportstructure in the vehicle. The roller tube is rotationally biased so thatthe panel can be extended to cover the compartment area and retractedonto the roller tube for storage when not in use. The end of the shadepanel is normally provided with a pull tube or stiffner having a handlethat enables the panel to be conveniently extended. The pull tube alsoincludes clips or tabs which engage brackets mounted to the vehicle sidewalls in the cargo area and maintain the panel in its extended position.Many of these prior art security shades are mounted in vehicles suchthat the roller tube is positioned across from one end of the cargo areawith the shade panel being extendible rearward toward a vehicles rearcargo door. The security shade is positioned behind a rear seat backwhich can be folded down to enlarge cargo area of the vehicle. When thecargo area is enlarged the security shade may be removed to prevent itfrom restricting and reducing the cargo area. For this and many otherreasons, security shades often feature a mounting system which allowsthem to be removed from and reinstalled into the vehicle. Therefore, theend units and roller tubes for security shades include many componentswhich increase the cost and complexity along with the weight of theoverall security shade unit. Many of the prior art security shadesrequire many components to properly create a removable mounting portionof the security shade and rotational biasing component for the rollertube. Generally, this type of assembly requires many hours of individuallabor and requires many different components that are adaptable todifferent vehicle applications, including vehicle models, vehiclewidths, or orientation of the security shade within the automotiveinterior. Many of these prior art security shades have a fixed end thatis not compressible and one compressible end to allow for insertion intothe vehicle interior and proper securing of the security shade withinthe cargo area.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved security shade foruse in an automotive vehicle. There also is a need in the art for asecurity shade that reduces the weight by reducing the number ofcomponents while still providing appropriate robustness and durabilitywhen the security shade panel is being extended or retracted onto theroller tube for storage. Furthermore, there is a need in the art for asecurity shade that uses a fixed motor spring. There also is the need inthe art for a security shade that has a compression support assembly onboth ends of the security shade that will allow a greater range ofcompression for multiple vehicle positions. Also there is a need in theart for a security shade having end cap travel distance and spring forcethat can be adjusted to meet requirements of various manufacturers ofmultiple vehicle lines and sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention may be to provide an improvedsecurity shade.

Another object of the present invention may be to provide a securityshade having a spring housing that contains or has a motor springarranged therein.

Still a further object of the present invention may be to provide afixed motor spring that will reduce potential for noise during operationof the security shade.

Yet a further object of the present invention may be to provide a fixedmotor spring that will allow for a greater range of compression of theend unit to allow for multiple vehicle sizes and positions within theinterior of the vehicle.

Still a further object of the present invention may be to provide asecurity shade that has end cap travel distance and spring forces thatare adjustable to meet various vehicle configurations and manufacturerrequirements.

Yet a further object of the present invention may be to provide asecurity shade that has compressible end units wherein the compressionis independent of the motor spring position.

Still a further object of the present invention may be to provide asecurity shade that will prevent the end cap from being removed ordislodged from a spring housing.

To achieve the foregoing objects, a security shade for use in a vehicleaccording to the present invention is disclosed. The security shadeincludes a roller tube and a shade panel fixed to the roll tube at oneend thereof. The security shade also includes a cassette with the rollertube arranged therein. A bearing is arranged in an end of the rollertube while a spring housing is arranged in an end of the cassette. Themotor spring is arranged within the spring housing and axially fixedwith relation to the roll tube and the cassette. The security shade alsoincludes an end cap arranged over an end of the cassette.

One advantage of the present invention is that it may provide animproved security shade.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it may provide asecurity shade having a spring housing that contains a motor springtherein.

Still a further advantage of the present invention is that it mayprovide a security shade that has a fixed motor spring which maypotentially reduce noise during operation of the security shade.

Still a further advantage of the present invention may be that the fixedmotor spring allows a greater range of compression for various vehiclepositions and various vehicle models and sizes.

Still another advantage of the present invention may be that thesecurity shade end cap travels a predetermined distance and has apredetermined spring force that can be adjustable to meet variousmanufacturer requirements and various vehicle sizes.

Yet another advantage of the present invention may be that the securityshade has a compressible end unit on both ends thereof.

Yet another advantage of the present invention may be that the end unitsof the security shade have compression that is independent of the motorspring.

Still another advantage of the present invention may be that the endcaps are not removable from a spring housing of the security shade.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the subsequent description and appended claimstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an end of a security shade in its fully extended positionaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an end of a security shade in its fully compressed positionaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the security shade according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 shows a partial exploded view of a security shade according tothe present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a partial exploded view of a security shade according tothe present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

According to the drawings, a security shade 10 for use in an automotivevehicle according to the present invention is shown. It should be notedthat the security shade 10 is generally used in a motor vehicle but maybe used in any type of vehicle that includes a cargo area, wherein thesecurity shade 10 will be used to cover the cargo area and hide contentslocated within the cargo area from a person outside the vehicle. Thesecurity shade 10 is generally arranged near a rear seat of anautomotive vehicle and pulled towards the rear hatch, door or trunk ofthe motor vehicle into its extended position. The security shade 10however, may be arranged at other locations within the vehicle cargoarea or interior of the vehicle. The security shade 10 may extend fromone side wall to another side wall or from the rear portion of the cargoarea toward the rear seat of the automotive vehicle. The security shade10 will be removable and capable of being stored either inside oroutside the vehicle when not in use.

The security shade 10 includes a roll tube 12 with a shade panel 14wound about the roll tube 12 and fixed to the roll tube 12 on one end ofthe panel 14. The opposite end of the shade panel 14 includes a pulltube or pull handle. The pull handle will be pulled to deploy the shadepanel 14 and unroll the shade panel 14 from the roll tube 12. At itsfully extended position clips or fasteners on or near the end of thepull handle or panel 14 are engaged with corresponding brackets in thecargo area side walls of the vehicle to retain the shade panel 14 in itsextended position covering the cargo area. When the clips aredisengaged, the rotational biasing force exerted by the roll tube 12 andassociated end or support assemblies will wind the shade panel 14 backonto the roll tube 12 for storage.

The roll tube 12 has a predetermined length that will vary based on theautomotive vehicle in which the roll tube 12 is being used. The rolltube 12 is generally hollow and has a diameter and configuration whichis predetermined depending on the design requirements of the securityshade 10. The roll tube 12 will have a rib 22 extending from an interiorsurface thereof along the entire length thereof. The roll tube 12 isarranged within a cassette or trim cover 16 which fits over both theroll tube 12 and the wound shade panel 14. The cassette 16 protects themechanical components of the security shade 10 from inadvertent damage,and prevents foreign objects from interfering with the operation andprovides an enhanced appearance for the security shade 10. The cassette16 includes a longitudinal slot 18 along an entire length thereof whichwill provide a route for the shade panel 14 to be deployed from andretracted onto the roll tube 12 without interference. The roll tube 12and cassette 16 are generally made of a hard plastic material, howeverany other composite, fabric, ceramic, natural material, metal, or anyother known material may be used for the roll tube 12 or cassette 16according to the present invention. A support subassembly 20 is arrangedon each end of the roll tube 12 and cassette 16.

The security shade includes a first and second support subassembly 20arranged on each end of the roll tube 12 and cassette 16. Each of thesupport subassemblies 20 are capable of axial movement with relation tothe end of the roll tube 12 and cassette 16. Therefore, each supportassembly 20 is capable of being fully extended as shown in FIG. 1 orfully compressed as shown in FIG. 2 with relation to the cassette 16 androll tube 12 thus allowing for insertion of the security shade 10 intothe appropriate brackets located on an inside wall of the cargo area ofthe vehicle. The compression of the subassemblies 20 is independent of amotor spring and the ends of the roll tube 12 and cassette 16.

The subassembly 20 includes a bearing 24 which is arranged in an end ofthe roll tube 12. The bearing 24 includes a groove 26 which receives therib 22 of the roller tube 12 therein thus preventing relative rotationbetween the bearing 24 and the roll tube 12 during operation of thesecurity shade 10. The groove 26 will also properly align the bearing 24with respect to the roll tube 12. The bearing 24 also includes an axle28 extending from one end thereof from a generally mid point thereof.The axle 28 has a slot 30 formed therein along a mid point thereof. Itshould be noted that the bearing 24 is generally made of a plasticmaterial however any other metal, ceramic, composite, or any other knownmaterial may be used to make the bearing 24 for the present invention.

The subassembly 20 also includes a spring housing 32 arranged within anend of the cassette 16. The spring housing 32 includes an arm 34extending from one end thereof. The arm 34 generally has a curvedsurface to mimic that of the inner surface of the cassette 16. Thespring housing 32 includes a circumferential cavity 36 defined on oneend thereof. The cavity 36 will be used to receive a motor spring 38therein. A plurality of locking fingers 40 extend from an edge of thecircumferential cavity 36 at predetermined positions. A pocket 42 isarranged on or near an outer surface of the circumferential cavity 36.The cassette 16 and spring housing 32 will have a plurality of orifices44 arranged through predetermined surface thereof to allow for afastener to be placed through the orifice 44 in the outer surface of thecassette 16 and then through an orifice 44 of the spring housing 32 tosecure and fix the spring housing 32 into the cassette 16. Any knowntype of fastener may be used to secure the cassette 16 to the springhousing 32 such as a dowel, pin, screw, rivet, staking, chemical bonds,etc. The spring housing 32 also has a first circumferential flange 46extending from one end thereof and a second circumferential flange 48extending from the same end. An orifice 50 is arranged at a mid point ofthe spring housing 32 and allows for the axle 28 of the bearing 24 to bearranged therein and provide support for the bearing 24 and roll tube12. The spring housing 32 also includes a first and second shouldermember 52 extending from a gap 54 in the outer circumferential wall ofthe spring housing 32. The shoulder members 52 are arranged across fromone another and are either directly formed into the outer edge or wallof the spring housing 32 or are separate members molded into the edge orwall of the spring housing 32. The shoulder members 52 will be used toengage with a stop member 56 of the end cap 58. The shoulder members 52extend from a predetermined portion of the outer circumferential wall ofthe spring housing 32. The shoulders 52 extend in the same plane acrossthe gap 54 from one another. The shoulder members 52 extend into the gap54 a predetermined distance and angle such that they will engage withthe stop 56 of the end cap 58.

The cassette 16 in another contemplated embodiment may have a pluralityof knobs or nubs extending from an inner surface thereof. The knobs arearranged at predetermined positions along the inner surface of the endof the cassette 16. In the same alternate contemplated embodiment thespring housing 32 includes a plurality of indentations spaced around anouter surface thereof. The indentations will mate with and interact withthe knobs extending from an inner surface of the cassette 16. When thespring housing 32 is arranged within the cassette 16 the knobs of thecassette 16 will align with and engage the indentations on the outersurface of the spring housing 32 thus fixing the spring housing 32 withrelation to the end of the roll tube 12 and cassette 16.

The motor spring 38 is mounted or arranged within the circumferentialcavity 36 of the spring housing 32. The motor spring 38 will provide arotational biasing force to the roll tube 12. To achieve this, one end60 of the motor spring 38 is fixedly or rigidly attached to the springhousing 32 in the pocket 42 thereof. While the opposing or moveable end62 of the motor spring 38 is attached to the bearing 24 that couples andtransfers rotation from the subassembly 20 to the roll tube 12. Themotor spring 38 in the embodiment shown is a coil spring in the shape ofa generally planar spiral. The coil spring has its radial outer end 60fixed in the pocket 42 of the spring housing 32 and its radial inner end62 as its rotatable end. The rotatable end 62 of the motor spring 38 isreceived within the slot 30 of the axle 28 extending from the bearing24. The axle 28 is then received within the orifice 50 of the springhousing 32. The motor spring 38 is initially prewound and held in placeuntil the subassembly 20 is further assembled to the roll tube 12 toform the finally assembled security shade 10. Then the motor spring 38is released to provide the rotational biasing force necessary to retractthe shade panel 14 onto the roll tube 12 when the security shade 10 ismoved to its retracted position. Any known method of holding the motorspring 38 in its initial prewound position can be used according to thepresent invention. Such methodology may even be those as disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,464,052 issued to the present assignee, which is herebyincorporated by reference.

After the motor spring 38 is arranged within the circumferential cavity36 of the spring housing 32 a housing cap 64 is aligned with and placedover the locking fingers 40 of the spring housing 32 to lock the motorspring 38 within the spring housing 32. Next the axle 28 of the bearing24 is placed through the orifice 50 of the housing cap 64 and engagesthe rotatable end 62 of the coil spring through the slot 30 in the axle28. Once the motor spring 38 is secured within the spring housing 32,the spring housing 32 is secured within the inner surface of thecassette 16 while the bearing 24 is secured within the roll tube 12 asdescribed above. This will allow the bearing 24 to rotate with the tolltube 12 while the spring housing 32 will be axially fixed with relationto the roll tube 12 and axially and rotatably fixed with relation to thecassette 16. The roll tube 12 will be capable of rotation with respectto the spring housing 32 and cassette 16. When the security shade 10 isput into its fully extended position, the bearing 24 will twist themotor spring 38 via the slot 30 in the axle 28 of the bearing 24 andcreate a rotational spring force to be used for retracting the shadepanel 14 back onto the roll tube 12 when the shade panel 14 is removedfrom the brackets in the cargo area. The coiled spring will have apredetermined rotational energy stored therein such that when the shadepanel 14 is released to its retracted position the coil spring willuncoil back to its neutral position thus rotating the roll tube 12 in apredetermined direction to wind the shade panel 14 back onto the outersurface of the roll tube 12 and into its retracted position within thecassette 16.

It should be noted that the spring housing 32 is generally made of aplastic material, however any other metal, ceramic, composite or anyother known material may be used for the spring housing 32. It shouldalso be noted that the motor spring 38 is generally made of a metalmaterial however any other plastic, ceramic, fabric, composite or anyother known material may also be used for the coil spring. Any knownmaterial can be used for the housing cap 64.

The subassembly 20 also includes an end cap 58 slidingly arranged overthe end of the cassette 16 and an end portion of the spring housing 32in one contemplated embodiment. The end cap 58 generally has a shapethat will mimic the outer shape of the cassette 16. The end cap 58 willinclude a groove 66 extending at a predetermined distance on one sidethereof. The end cap 58 has a predetermined shaped orifice 68 on an endsurface thereof. The end cap 58 will also have a post or boss 70extending from an end surface thereof to engage with the bracket ororifices located on the surface of the cargo area of the vehicle. Thiswill ensure that the end cap 58 is aligned at a predetermined positionwith relation to the cargo area and will allow for the end cap 58 to berotatably fixed with respect to the vehicle thus allowing no rotationbetween the end cap 58 and the vehicle cargo area. Extending inwardly ina radial direction from each edge of the groove 66 is a flange 72. Theflange 72 generally has a U-shaped cross section. The flange 72 includesa stop member 56 extending a predetermined distance from a surface ofthe flange 72. The stop member 56 is capable of being arranged atdifferent locations along the flange 72 to ensure for a variable rangeof travel distance for the end cap 58 with relation to the cassette 16and spring housing 32. A first and second stop member 56 extends fromthe first and second flange 72 of the end cap 58. The stop members 56will engage with the shoulder members 52 of the spring housing 32 whenthe end cap 58 is in its fully extended position as shown in FIG. 1.This will ensure that the end cap 58 is prevented from being removedfrom the spring housing 32 during operation of the security shade 10.

It should be noted that it is contemplated to use just one shouldermember 52 and one stop member 56 and flange 72 to create the necessaryengagement in the fully extended position for the end cap 58. It is alsocontemplated to use any other known inter engagement or fasteningtechniques to ensure the end cap 58 does not become dislodged from thespring housing 32 or end of the cassette 16 during operation in itsfully extended position. The groove 66 also will receive the shade panel14 when the end cap 58 is in its fully compressed position and partiallywhen in its fully extended position. It should be noted that the end cap58 is generally made of a plastic material, however any other metal,composite, ceramic, rubber, or any other known material may be used forthe end cap 58. The end cap 58 is capable of a predetermined amount oflinear distance of travel with relation to the cassette 16 and springhousing 32 according to the present invention. This distance of lineartravel is capable of being adjusted depending on manufacturer'srequirements and the design of the automotive vehicle cargo areainteriors.

A spring 74 is arranged between an outer surface of the spring housing32 and an inner surface of the end cap 58. The spring 74 in oneembodiment contemplated is a taper spring 74 with one end arrangedwithin the circumferential flange 46 extending from one end of thespring housing 32 while the opposite end of the spring 74 is arrangedaround a circumferential flange extending from an inner surface of theend cap 58. The taper spring 74 will urge the end cap 58 in an axialdirection away from the spring housing 32. When the spring 74 iscompressed it will allow for the end cap 58 to move over the cassette 16and spring housing 32 to allow for the roll tube 12 to be inserted intothe brackets of the cargo area of the vehicle. Once the end cap bosses70 are arranged within the brackets the spring 74 will urge the end cap58 away from the spring housing 32 and cassette 16 thus allowing for thesecurity shade 16 to be securely held within the cargo area of theautomotive vehicle. It should be noted that the spring 74 used in onecontemplated embodiment of the invention is made out of metal, howeverany other plastic, ceramic, composite, cardboard, paper, or naturalmaterial may be used to make the spring 74.

It is contemplated to use a subassembly 20 as described above on bothends of the cassette 16 and roll tube 12 of the security shade 10. Thiswill allow for compression to be available on both ends allowing foreasy insertion of the security shade 10 into the automotive vehiclecargo interior area. Most prior art security shades had one fixed endthat was not capable of any compression or axial movement with relationto an end thereof and only one end that was capable of compression oraxial movement with relation to an end of the cassette 16 or roller tube12. The present invention will be capable of compression on both ends ofthe security shade 10 thus allowing for easier insertion and a greaterrange of compression for both multiple vehicle positions within multiplevehicle lines and within the same vehicle cargo interior. It should alsobe noted that having the motor spring 38 fixed with relation to the rolltube 12 and cassette 16 will reduce any potential for noise andvibration within the subassembly 20 of the security shade 10. The fixedmotor spring 38 also allows for an increased range of compression forthe security shade 10 thus allowing for multiple vehicle positions to beused by the same security shade 10 over a variety of line of vehiclesand within a similar cargo area of vehicles of various manufacturers. Itshould also be noted that the end cap 58 will have a predeterminedtravel distance and spring force arranged between the spring housing 32and the end cap 58 such that it can be adjusted to meet variousrequirements of the manufacturers for various vehicle lines.

It should be noted that during assembly of the support subassembly 20the spring housing 32 will have the end cap flanges 72 placed throughthe gap 54 in the spring housing 32 outer wall with the end cap 58 beinginserted at a predetermined angle to allow the shoulder surface 52 to beslid around and beyond the stop member 56 thus allowing for the stopmember 56 to engage the shoulder surface 52 when the end cap 58 isproperly aligned with the cassette 16 and roll tube 12. Thus, the endcap 58 is placed over the spring housing 32 before the subassembly 20 isplaced over the end of the cassette 16 and into the roll tube 12. Thiswill ensure that the end cap 58 cannot be dislodged from the end of thesecurity shade 10 when in its fully extended position. The end cap 58 iscapable of being secured within the cargo area of the automotiveinterior either in its fully extended position, its fully compressedposition, or a partially compressed position. The end cap 58 is designedto be robust and strong enough to ensure the security shade 10 isproperly secured within the cargo area during both its retracted andfully extended positions during operation of the shade panel 14.

The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner, itis to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intendedto be in the nature of words of description rather than that oflimitation.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possiblein light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of theappended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise thanas specifically described.

1. A support assembly for use on a shade in a vehicle, said supportassembly including: an end cap; a spring housing slidingly arrangedwithin said end cap; a spring arranged between said end cap and saidspring housing; a motor spring arranged within said spring housing; anda bearing engaged with said motor spring;
 2. The support assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said end cap having a groove in one surface thereof. 3.The support assembly of claim 2 wherein said end cap having a first andsecond flange extending radially inward from an edge of said groove,said flanges having a stop member extending therefrom.
 4. The supportassembly of claim 3 wherein said spring housing having at least oneshoulder surface extending therefrom.
 5. The support assembly of claim 4wherein said shoulder surface engages said stop member when said end capis fully extended, said engagement prevents the end cap from beingremoved from said spring housing.
 6. The support assembly of claim 1wherein said spring housing is fixed with relation to the shade.
 7. Thesupport assembly of claim 1 wherein the support assembly is fixed toboth ends of the shade, allowing for a predetermined range ofcompression for the shade.
 8. The support assembly of claim 1 whereinsaid end cap moves a predetermined axial distance with relation to saidspring housing and has a predetermined spring force between said end capand said spring housing.
 9. A security shade for use in a vehicle toprevent viewing cargo, said security shade including: a cassette; a rolltube arranged within said cassette; a shade panel fixed to said rolltube at one end of said shade panel; a bearing arranged in an end ofsaid roller tube; a spring housing arranged in an end of said cassette;a motor spring arranged within said spring housing and axially fixedwith relation to said roll tube and said cassette; and an end caparranged over an end of said cassette.
 10. The security shade of claim 9further including a spring arranged between said end cap and said springhousing.
 11. The security shade of claim 9 wherein said end cap having agroove therein, a flange extending axially inward from an edge of saidgroove, said flange having a stop member extending therefrom.
 12. Thesecurity shade of claim 11 wherein said spring housing having a shoulderextending therefrom.
 13. The security shade of claim 12 wherein saidstop member engages said shoulder surface when said end cap is fullyextended with respect to said cassette and said roll tube, saidengagement prevents end cap from being removed from said cassette. 14.The security shade of claim 13 wherein compression of said end cap isindependent of said motor spring.
 15. The security shade of claim 9wherein said spring housing and said end cap are arranged on both endsof said cassette.
 16. The security shade of claim 9 wherein said bearingengages said motor spring, said motor spring provides a force to retractsaid shade panel onto said roll tube.
 17. The security shade of claim 9wherein said fixed motor spring allows for a predetermined range ofcompressions for said end cap and reduces noise in the security shadeduring operation.
 18. The security shade of claim 9 wherein said end capaxially travels a predetermined distance and has a predetermined springforce to allow for use in multiple vehicle configurations.
 19. Thesecurity shade of claim 9 wherein said spring housing having an armextending from an end thereof.
 20. The security shade of claim 9 whereinsaid bearing is rotatably fixed to said roll tube but capable ofrotation with respect to said spring housing and said motor spring.